The ultimate Bush and Beach Adventure. Start your Safari in the Kruger National Park where you will set off with your own private guide, searching the African plains for the Big 5. Experience pure wilderness as you traverse the area on foot, deep in the heart of Kruger. Or if walking isn't your thing you can choose to explore the area by 4x4. After-which you meander through the 3rd largest Canyon on earth, enjoying beautiful vistas and awesome scenery. Travel to Swaziland and experience its rich culture, before traversing the border to the vibrant City of Maputo. Finally fly up to Vilanculos, the gold coast of Mozambique. Relax in your airy chalet set just above the beach with its aqua blue waters. Set sail for the Bazaruto Archipelago, snorkel the awesome tropical reefs and enjoy the beauty of the area as time stands still.
_____________________________________________________________________
The Safari at a glance:
• Duration: 12 Nights and 13 Days
• Tour starts in Phalaborwa, Limpopo (South Africa) and ends in Johannesburg, Gauteng (South Africa)
Choose from:
• 1 night, in the Kruger National Park (South Africa) accommodation on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis
• 3 nights in the Kruger National Park (South Africa) accommodation at one of several Wilderness Trails Camps on a full board basis (excluding drinks; or
• 4 nights, in the Kruger National Park (South Africa) accommodation on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis
• 1 night, 4 star accommodation in Blyde River Canyon (South Africa) on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis
• 2 nights, at Mlilwane Sanctuary (Enzulwini Valley, Swaziland) on dinner, bed and breakfast basis
• 1 nights, 4 star accommodation in Maputo (Mozambique) on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis
• 2 nights, 4 star accommodation in Vilanculos (Mozambique) on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis
• 2 nights, sailing the Bazaruto Archipelago (Mozambique) secluded beach camping on a fully catered basis
• Local flights from Maputo to Vilanculos, and Vilanculos to Johannesburg
• All ground transport in an air-conditioned 4x4 while on Safari, and return airport transfers
• The services of a fully qualified safari guide while on Safari
• Optional Activities: Walk with Elephants experience, open-vehicle game drives, Big 5 game walks, Animal Rehabilitation Centre, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Horse Riding, Kayaking and Dhow Sailing
____________________________________________________________________
Full Itinerary:
Day 1: Phalaborwa and into Kruger (Kruger National Park, South Africa)
You will be met in Phalaborwa by your Safari Guide. After brief introductions and a quick stop for last minute suppliers, we enter the world famous Kruger National Park, where Game viewing opportunities should present themselves almost immediately in this vast 2-million hectare game sanctuary. Hopefully we will see several species of antelope, zebra, wildebeest and maybe even giraffe before we reach camp.
The Kruger Park offers a choice of several camps, each situated in a different section of the park with its own unique flora and fauna. Our favorites being: Skukuza, Letaba, Olifants, Lower Sabie, Pretoriuskop, Satara and Berg-en-Dal. Accommodation is in simple but comfortable thatched game park bungalows, with each camp having a restaurant.
Y our knowledgeable guide will provide you with insight into the different species and ecological phenomena you come across. Your daily routine will include early morning and late afternoon game drives with your guide, the hotter mid-day periods will be spent relaxing at camp reading, bird watching, swimming or just taking a cat-nap in the shade of a tree.
CHOOSE FROM:
Days 2, 3, & 4: Kruger National Park (South Africa)
Today, you will meet up with your Trails Ranger and other members of your trail group. After saying “Good-Bye” to your guide, you will then depart in an open safari vehicle for you rustic camp deep in the Kruger wilderness. These lovely Camps only take 8 people accommodating guests in thatched A-frame huts. The camps also offer warm running water and communal ablutions. It is a truly African experience that is unsurpassed.
You daily routine will include morning and afternoon hikes into the wilderness, where you professionally trained and highly experienced rangers will provide you with ample information about the fauna, flora and ecology of the area. Nights will be spent around warm camp fires discussing the thrills of walking into the Big 5 and the wonders of the African Bush. These wilderness areas are usually very productive for game viewing, with many trailists returning having seen all the members of the Big 5 and more!
OR
Days 2, 3, & 4: Kruger National Park (South Africa)
Your days will be spent exploring the vast Kruger Plains, which offer magnificent game viewing opportunities. Renowned for its diversity and home to approximately 145 mammal and over 500 bird species, this amazing sanctuary is bound to provide you with some awesome game viewing.
Y our knowledgeable guide will provide you with insight into the different species and ecological phenomena you come across. Your daily routine will include early morning and late afternoon game drives with your guide, the hotter mid-day periods will be spent relaxing at camp reading, bird watching, swimming or just taking a cat-nap in the shade of a tree.
There are also optional game viewing activities including 3 hour morning and afternoon open vehicle game drives and 4 hour morning game walks escorted by Kruger rangers. These activities come highly suggested, and Strider Expeditions would be happy to book them in advance for you.
In the evening, enjoy the balmy weather and pristine stars of the Southern Sky and Milky Way, as you have never seen them before – including the spectacular Southern Cross.
Day 5: Blyde River Canyon (South Africa)
Your final day in Kruger will begin with an early morning drive out of the Wilderness and back to meet your guide at one of the main camps. You will then take a slow drive out of Park, stopping off at a picnic site in order to enjoy our brunch before making our way out the Park.
You will then explore the wonders of the Blyde River Canyon, taking in the beautiful vistas of God’s Window, the natural wonders of Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Mac-Mac Falls, before heading to your lovely Inn on southern section of Canyon.
Here, you will spend your final night enjoying the fabulous food and great hospitality.
Day 6: Blyde River Canyon (South Africa) to Enzulwini Valley (Swaziland)
After a scrumptious breakfast, we begin our journey south, through the border and into Swaziland. This beautiful mountainous country is one of the last African Monarchies, and is a land proud of its culture. We will travel through the Enzulwini Valley and into the Mlilwane Sanctuary where we will overnight. Our journey will take us through many interesting locations, time will be provided to will stop along the way to view the beautiful vistas, explore rural villages and do some curio shopping.
Day 7: Enzulwini Valley (Swaziland)
Day at leisure. You may choose sleep in late and explore the sanctuary on foot (or on many of the offered activities: Game Drives, Cultural Tours, Horse Riding), or you might like travel to the Enzulwini Route, taking you through many curio markets, and other sights of interest. These aspects can be discussed directly with your guide.
Day 8: Enzulwini Valley (Swaziland) to Maputo (Mozambique)
Today, we travel east towards to the coast, leaving Swaziland behind. Our destination: Maputo – the City of contrast. Arriving just before lunch, we will have to time to check in and grab something to eat before heading out to explore the city.
We travel the streets by car and foot, exploring the markets and the historic sites. Maputo is a city of contrast, where poor, rich, new and old live together in harmony. As you stroll through the streets you will come across 17th century architecture alongside 21st century modern day buildings. It is truly a site to see.
Day 9 & 10: Maputo to Vilanculos (Mozambique)
After breakfast and a short tour of the city, you head off to Maputo International, where you will catch your connecting flight onto Vilanculos. A lodge representative will meet you at Vilanculos and escort in an air-conditioned vehicle to your lodge. You will arrive in the early afternoon, giving you time to hit the beach before the sun goes down.
The Bazaruto Archipelago is made up of several tropical islands and includes some awesome reefs which are home to a diverse array of marine life and offers some of the finest diving worldwide. The Unspoilt reefs are home to local Dolphin pods, resident Manta Rays and Whalesharks as well as several Turtle Species, while the highly endangered Dugong is often seen. The area boasts over 1000 local fish species, while mammals are not hard to find either, with migrating Humpback Whales a common sighting between August and October. As a result there are a host of water sports available in the area including world class deep sea fishing, scuba diving and snorkelling. The area also boast several other land and boat based options including sailing, kayaking, 4x4 echo explorations, island tours, birding excursions, historic tours, cultural experiences and horse riding.
At night, you will enjoy the Mozambique tropical heat as you drift to one of the local Restaurants, where you will indulge your taste buds in a variety of seafood delights infused with Portuguese and African flavours.
The tropical locations creates an atmosphere of relaxation, where many gather to watch the sun go down or participate in a beach volley ball, pub games or simply to enjoy the atmosphere and a few tropical cocktails.
Days 11, 12 & 13: Vilanculos & Bazaruto Archipelago (Mozambique)
Today, you depart on 2 day, 2 night sailing safari of the Bazaruto Archipelago. Your guide will introduce you to the marine wonders of the area, as you sail between the reefs. Your time will be spent snorkeling with the marine life, exploring the uninhabited Islands and enjoying the tropical weather.
The day to day happenings are as follows:
• Day 11
Depart for Magaruque Island, landing on the north point of the island. Snorkel on the base reef and wander off along pristine white beaches. After lunch set sail for Macunye, arriving late afternoon.
• Day 12
Head off to Bazaruto Island and explore the dunes of Ponta Dundo. Set sail for 2-Mile Reef for snorkeling or diving (Diving requires prior arrangement). Lunch on Benguerra Island. Look out for dugongs or dolphins feeding in the channel.
• Day 13
After breakfast there is a further opportunity to see more of 2-Mile Reef. After breakfast, we set sail for Vilanculos, arriving at about 1.00 pm.
Unfortunately, this is your final day and you will be escorted back to Vilanculos Airport. You then board your onward flight to Johannesburg International Airport.
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
- Departure Dates (dd/mm/yy): 29/11/09; 31/01/10; 07/02/10; 28/02/10; 07/03/10; 27/03/10; 04/04/10; 25/04/10; 02/05/10; 30/05/10; 01/08/10; 29/08/10; 15/09/10; 26/09/10; 03/10/10
- No children under 12.
Price Excludes:
- Long haul international flights
- Lunches, drinks and refreshments
- Tips for porters and restaurants
- Telephone calls, laundry and other incidental personal expenditure
- Visa fees, in countries where these apply
- Airport departure taxes, in countries where these apply.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
South Africa
Swaziland
Mozambique
Nature & Wildlife
Wildlife Viewing
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
, ext: 18196
